Chapter 65
Nobody moved as they heard Agent Miller again call for Shane to give himself up. Jeff was relieved that at least he hadn't been able to take off with Jessica. Now all he had to do was figure out a way to separate her from Shane, who he could tell was starting to panic. Shane was aware enough to keep Jessica in front of him as he made his way to the back of the room, away from the door and the window.
"Maybe there's another way out." Vince suggested.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Jeff yelled at him. "You want to help him take her?"
"I just want this to end safely."
"Then try convincing him to let her go. Don't just give him another out."
"Everyone shut up!" Shane ordered. "I need a moment to think. Now get over to the couch, all of you and don't think of trying anything." He reminded them making a big show of holding the gun against Jessica. Not having any other plan and not wanting to put her in anymore danger they did as he said. Shane ignored what was going on outside trying to figure out what to do next. He was trapped.
"Shane, let me help you." Vince said from across the room.
"How?"
"Let Jessica go, and we can work this out. That's what they want."
"What about what I want? No, Jess stays with me."
"Shane, please." She said to him her voice trembling. "It's over. There's no good way out of this."
"Yes there is. There has to be. I can't lose you." He reached out to touch her and she shrunk away. Seeing her pull away from him hurt him. He looked at her with sadness in his eyes. "You don't love me."
Jessica didn't know how to respond so she just turned away. She didn't want to anger him by telling him she didn't fearful of his rage. But if she told him yes he might try to do something desperate for them to get out of there. Worse, if he pulled it off she could be trapped with him forever. Just the thought of Shane touching her again petrified her. She thought of a few moments ago with Shane forcing himself on her and she started to shake. He reached out to console her and she pushed him back.
"No!" She shouted.
"Leave her alone!" Jeff said standing up.
"You sit back down!" He ordered, but Jeff saw the state she was in and couldn't.
"Just look at her. She scared to death. What did you think would happen after what you did to her?"
"Shut up! This is all your fault anyway. It wouldn't have had to happen like that if you hadn't gotten involved. If it wasn't for you she would love me! I never would have had to do that."
"Do what?" Vince asked but Shane looked away.
"Go ahead." Jeff told him. "Why don't you tell your Dad what I walked into? Go ahead!"
"I said shut up!" He shouted back.
"What did you do?" Vince repeated.
"Look at her! How's she dressed? Her shirt is all torn. What do you think?" Jeff gestured to Jessica who looked away.
"I've had enough of you!" Shane said but he caught the look of disappointment on his father's face and turned his anger towards him. "What are you surprised? You've already said what a disappointment I am."
"No I didn't"
"Isn't that what you've been doing these past couple of days? Making sure you keep up appearances, got to look good right? So you go around and tell everyone how ashamed you are of me!"
"I never said that." Vince stood up. "Your mother and I have been worried to death. We don't want anything to happen to you. I've been trying to keep you safe. Do you realize how much trouble you're in? Two counts of kidnapping, assault and now this?" Vince shook his head.
"Go ahead say it! You already said it to Hardy. Maybe he can even become your new son. Since you guys have spent so much time bonding."
Vince looked at his son confused. He never thought through all this that Shane would actually hurt Jessica. He was shocked that he had actually attacked Jessica but he didn't want to tell him the truth about his disappointment, fearing that would set him off further. Above anything this was still his son, and he had to make sure he got out of this alive. He knew that there were cops out there just looking for the perfect shot.
"You are my son." Vince said. "Let me help you."
"Why should I trust you?"
"I never said any of those things." Vince told him and Shane glared angrily at Jeff.
"You lied?" He turned to Jessica. "You see what type of person he is? He's what you want?"
"Shane, please." Jessica said to him.
"No, it is isn't it? You would rather be with him than me." He yelled at her. He grabbed her arm. "Answer me!"
"Stop." She cried out.
"Well I won't let you. You deserve so much more than him and I won't let him ruin your life again." Shane raised the gun at Jeff, keeping Jess at arm's length. "You'll thank me for this!" Jessica's eyes grew wide as she realized what Shane was about to do. She knew she had to do something. Desperate, she stretched her leg and kicked his hand as hard as she could. The gun dropped out of his hand. Seizing the opportunity, Jeff lunged at Shane knocking all of them over. They grappled for a little as Matt and Vince came over to help.
"Somebody get him off me!" Jessica yelled panicking. In their tumbling, Shane had ended up on top of her and just having him pressed against her freaked her out. They rolled Shane over holding him down. Shane struggled to break free but Matt was holding down his legs, while Jeff subdued his arms.
"Just hold on." Jeff told Jess then looked at Vince. "Find the keys. Vince searched Shane's pockets until he finally found them. He quickly handed them to Jeff who unlocked Jessica from Shane. She reached for him, and Jeff wrapped his arms around her.
"It's okay." He told her as she cried into him. "You're all right."
"Let's get you out of here." Vince said. He took his jacket off and wrapped it around her.
"Uh, I could use a little help here?" Matt said and they realized they had all left him to keep Shane down.
"Go ahead." Vince said to Jeff. "Bring the cops in." Jeff nodded. He helped Jessica up and started to walk her to the door. With his back turned, he wasn't sure exactly what happened but he did hear his brother yell. He turned back around just in time to see Shane loose with the gun in his hand pointing it at them. As he pushed Jessica to the floor, the gun went off.
